How can I transfer a particular file from my old MacBook Pro when the display is broken

Hi,

If your old MacBook Pro boot up, and has USB or Thunderbolt or USB-C port, Target Disk Mode(start up with "T" key) could help your issue.

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

use Time machine .app (not to be confused with Time machine system preferences. It provides a view of a directory receding back, back, back in time:

and this article:

Restore items backed up with Time Machine on Mac - Apple Support

.

use Time machine's "view other backups" feature, -OR- "inherit" that backup as your backup.

Browse Other Backup Disks

But there is a somewhat hidden way to access the timeline just for a specific disk, and that’s by holding down the Option key on your keyboard and clicking on the circle-clock icon in your menu bar.

from:

https://www.techjunkie.com/browse-other-backup-disks-time-machine/

--------

Time Machine - "Inherit Backup History" -… - Apple Community

You could try connecting an external display to the broken laptop, but sometimes it can be tricky to get video to the external even when you put the broken Mac into Clamshell mode (power adapter is connected along with the external display & wired USB keyboard & mouse with the lid of the broken laptop closed).

I don't use TM, but can you associate the TM backup to this new Mac, then use the TM app to navigate to the folder in question to retrieve just that single file? I seem to recall someone mentioning it is possible to "Inherit the backup"? May be something to look into if other options don't work out.

Chellefox Said:

"How can I transfer a particular file from my old MacBook Pro when the display is broken"

-------

Connect an External Display, then Mirror the Mac to It

You can access the files through screen mirroring...

A. If No Touch Bar: Hold Down: [command + F1]

or...

B. If a Touch Bar: Hold Down: [command + dim display]